Team India completed their preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup with a flawless 3-0 victory over Afghanistan on home turf. The Men in Blue faced a tough challenge from their Asian counterparts, especially in the third T20I, where they had to navigate through two Super Overs to secure the win.
Despite the clean sweep, the series cannot be deemed ideal in terms of preparation, as India played without their full squad. The hosts had to rest their primary bowlers for the upcoming Test series against England, and influential short-format players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav were absent due to injuries.
After the series concluded, Rohit Sharma mentioned that India successfully addressed various aspects, especially situations where players were tested in unfamiliar conditions. Undoubtedly, there are still numerous uncertainties, and they may persist throughout the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Here are the three key questions left unanswered after India’s T20I series victory against Afghanistan:
#3 Will Virat Kohli do well in this aggressive style of play?
The main goal of the Afghanistan series was to observe how Virat Kohli fits into the revamped T20I team after 14 months. While Rohit Sharma was also absent from the T20I side for a considerable time, there haven’t been significant changes in terms of what he brings to the team.
However, Kohli’s role has evolved. In contrast to his previous position as an anchor, he is now expected to be more aggressive, similar to the other batsmen. The former captain missed the series opener in Mohali, played a quick cameo in the second match, and unfortunately got out for a golden duck in the third T20I in Bengaluru.
It’s yet to be determined if Kohli can effectively adapt to the aggressive approach at No. 3. However, the situation is further complicated by the fact that Kohli will be opening for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
While some support Kohli maintaining his original approach at No. 3 for consistency, others argue that his playing style is outdated, and he needs to elevate his game to match the aggressiveness of the other batters in the team.
#2 What will be the bowling combination? Can both Kuldeep and Bishnoi find a spot?
India has faced a significant challenge in selecting their primary spinner recently. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi have demonstrated their skills, with the latter even earning the title of player of the series in the home series against Australia.
The duo played together in the third T20I against Afghanistan, with Bishnoi delivering the crucial Super Over. Given the slow pitches in the West Indies, there’s a case for including three spinners, potentially with an all-rounder like Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja, or even the unconventional choice of Washington Sundar.
Including two main seamers like Jasprit Bumrah, along with either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, and having Hardik Pandya, allows Team India to finalize their bowling lineup. The strategy for the bowling attack might be influenced by the batting order and its depth. As the saying goes, “It all starts at the top.”
#1 How can India manage to include all the players in good form in the starting lineup?
The challenge of team selection becomes significantly more complex when you take into account the current good form of Team India players. While it’s possible that the momentum could diminish during the 2024 IPL, assuming the players sustain their current performance levels, there will likely be substantial debates regarding selection.
If Virat Kohli is fixed at No. 3, there’s a reasonable likelihood that someone from the middle order might need to be excluded, and unfortunately, Rinku Singh might be the one affected.
Despite Rinku Singh’s excellent performance since his international debut, it could be challenging to include him in the playing XI. If Team India insists on having Kohli, Rohit, and Rinku, the senior duo would need to open the innings, leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the equation. Choosing the team becomes a tricky situation in this case.
The Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi dilemma arises if Team India opts for only two spinners, including Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, alongside all-rounders Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya.
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